A few days later, the school atmosphere began to heat up as the test exams were on the horizon. The students were busy studying, even the ones who were usually relaxed looked serious. However, Kang Min remained calm, not even looking like he was preparing for the test.
During recess, Lee Jong and Sung Jae approached Kang Min who was sitting casually on a park bench while playing with a ballpoint pen on his finger.
"Kang Min, aren't you studying for the test? It's important, you know," Lee Jong scolded in a worried tone.
Kang Min shrugged casually. "Why bother? I have no intention of going to college."
Sung Jae frowned, clearly disagreeing. "But, Min, even if you want to become a professional boxer, education is still important. What if that career doesn't work out? You have to have a backup."
Kang Min chuckled, then looked up at the sky. "I'm not afraid of failure. If I don't make it as a boxer, I'll find another way. Life is like fighting in the ring; as long as you don't give up, there's a way to win."
Lee Jong folded his arms across his chest. "Kang Min, you always say that, but this time it's serious. We just don't want you to regret it later."
Kim Hanna, who happened to be passing by, heard their conversation. She stopped her steps and stood in front of Kang Min with her hands on her waist. "Hey, Kang Min. Don't be selfish. We're your friends, and we care about your future. This test is important, and you have to go!"
Kang Min looked at Hanna with a faint smile, then stood up and put his arm around her shoulders. "Relax, Hanna. I know you guys care, and I appreciate it. But I have my own way. You guys take the test, let me watch you from the stands."
Hanna pushed her shoulder in annoyance. "You're so stubborn, you know! If you don't take the test, I won't talk to you for a week!"
"Seriously?" asked Kang Min while putting on a pretend shocked face.
Hanna nodded firmly. "Yes, seriously."
Lee Jong and Sung Jae could only look at each other, not knowing what else to say. In the end, they could only sigh, accepting that Kang Min had made up his mind.
When the exam day arrived, all the students went to their respective rooms. Kang Min really didn't take the exam and instead sat in the backyard of the school while hitting the punching bag that he brought himself.
"If this is my future, I have to start now," he muttered as he hit the punching bag vigorously, imagining himself fighting in the MMA ring one day.
As Kang Min was busy hitting the punching bag behind the school, suddenly the sound of heavy footsteps approached him. He turned around and found Choi Sang Woo standing with a sharp gaze.
"Kang Min, get ready!" said Sang Woo in a stern tone, without giving Kang Min a chance to speak. "Come on, let's go."
"Ouch, sir! I don't want to! I don't want to take the test!" Kang Min replied, trying to avoid it.
However, Sang Woo didn't care. He immediately pulled Kang Min's collar and dragged him towards the school building. "You have no choice. I already registered you. If you don't want to come, what will happen later?!"
Kang Min snorted in annoyance, feeling forced. "Why did you bother to take care of me? I already said I didn't want to go to college!"
Sang Woo kept walking with steady steps, not caring about Kang Min's protests. "Life isn't just about what you want. Someday, you have to be ready for bigger responsibilities. And maybe, you'll have to take your brother's place."
Kang Min was silent for a moment, pondering a bit. "What a nag, sir," he muttered under his breath.
Upon arriving at the exam hall, Kang Min realized he was almost two hours late. When they walked into the room, the students who were taking the exam looked up, surprised at their arrival.
"Uh, look who it is!" some students whispered, trying to hold back their laughter.
Sang Woo removed Kang Min's collar firmly and stepped forward. "Come in and sit down. Don't make me come here again to bring you," he said while glancing at Kang Min with a sharp gaze.
One of the supervising teachers who saw the situation chuckled. "Oh, so this is the one who's late. Thank you, Mr. Choi, for helping. We purposely waited for Kang Min because we were worried he wouldn't show up. It's a good thing he was only two hours late," the teacher said, slightly joking.
Kang Min looked at Sang Woo with a mixture of annoyance and resignation. "Next time, don't bother too much, sir."
Sang Woo ignored the complaint and turned to leave the room. "Be careful, Kang Min. Don't just focus on the things you like, but also think about the future."
Kang Min just sighed and walked to his desk with a rather sour face. While his friends began to whisper, Kang Min chose to ignore them and began to do the exam questions carelessly, even though in his heart he knew there was genuine concern behind Sang Woo's attitude which often annoyed him.
As Kang Min sat at his desk, Lee Jong, Sung Jae, and Kim Hanna couldn't help but laugh at the annoyed look on Kang Min's face. They knew how Kang Min usually avoided exams and everything related to academics.
Kim Hanna who was sitting next to Kang Min smiled and said, "I didn't expect you to come too, Kang Min. But it's good that you have a good reason, right?"
Kang Min looked at them with an annoyed gaze. "Because of Mr. Choi Sang Woo! He's so annoying!" Kang Min replied in an annoyed tone, leaning back in his chair.
Lee Jong and Sung Jae just exchanged glances and laughed. "Yeah, it's good that you came. Your grades are good and you're smart in school, so all this effort won't be wasted," Lee Jong said with a smile.
Kang Min snorted softly, feeling a little offended by those words, although in his heart he knew they were just joking. "Yes, yes. If it wasn't for Mr. Choi, I wouldn't have bothered to come either," Kang Min replied while folding his arms across his chest.
Kim Hanna who was usually cheerful tried to calm Kang Min down. "But, Kang Min, don't be too hard on yourself. You actually have great potential. Mr. Choi only wants the best for you."
Kang Min rolled his eyes, not really liking the advice, but he knew they only wanted to help him. "Never mind, don't be a wise guy now," he muttered.
Sung Jae who sat next to him patted his shoulder casually. "Anyway, don't let exams or anything stress you out. Focus on what's important. You're more than enough, Kang Min."
Although Kang Min still looked a little upset, he felt a little relieved by the support from his friends. "Okay, thank you," he replied, though with a sullen tone.
Kang Min finally turned his attention to the exam, although in his heart, he knew that he could never completely escape Mr. Choi Sang Woo's attention and the expectations of the people around him.
After the exam was over and they all went home, Kang Min, Lee Jong, and Sung Jae walked alongside Kim Hanna who looked exhausted. Hanna's face looked pale and she occasionally rubbed her forehead with her hand, making her three friends feel worried.
"Hey, Hanna, what's wrong with you? Not feeling well, huh?" asked Lee Jong worriedly.
Sung Jae who was beside her also asked, "Yeah, you look really tired. Did your illness come back again?"
Kang Min who saw Hanna's condition immediately took out his cell phone and immediately called Mr. Lee Ju Nan, even though he knew Mr. Lee was busy in the office.
Mr. Lee who heard Kang Min's voice on the phone immediately let out a long sigh. "Kang Min, you really upset me. But okay, I'll come. Where are you right now?" his voice sounded full of annoyance, but Kang Min knew Mr. Lee would definitely come to help.
"Nearby, sir! Please hurry, Hanna's not feeling well," Kang Min replied quickly.
At the office, Mr. Lee just put on a sour face, suppressing his annoyance. "You're making a lot of trouble, but it's not the time to talk. I'll be right there."
Soon, Mr. Lee's car arrived and he immediately got off to pick them up. In the car, Kim Hanna started to look a little better, although she still looked weak.
"How's it going?" asked Kang Min in a worried tone.
Kim Hanna smiled slightly. "Yes, a little better. Thank you for taking the trouble," she replied while rubbing her temples which were starting to feel lighter.
Then, the atmosphere in the car became a little more relaxed. Kim Hanna, who felt a little more refreshed, broke the silence, "Shall we go to the beach? The fresh air will make me feel better, right?"
Lee Jong and Sung Jae immediately smiled at the idea, and they agreed. "That's a great idea! We can relax for a while after exams and all the busy work," Lee Jong said enthusiastically.
Kang Min who heard that looked at all of them, a little doubtful. "The beach, huh? Well, if it makes you feel better, I agree. But only if you guys take good care of yourselves."
Kim Hanna chuckled, feeling the genuine concern of her friends. "Thanks, everyone. I think the beach could be the best healing today."
The trip to the beach began, with the mood a little brighter although everyone still felt some concern for Hanna's condition. Still, they enjoyed the moment as a time to relieve the stress of the recently concluded exams.
On the sunny beach, the atmosphere is alive with laughter and the sound of the waves rolling in. Sung Jae and Lee Jong sit on the sand, enjoying ice cream while looking at Kang Min and Kim Hanna running along the beach.
Kang Min invites Hanna to play in the water, pulling her closer to the shore. They chased each other, laughing happily as if they had forgotten all the problems that had haunted them. The waves that came rolling down the beach made them even more excited.
"Hey, be careful!" Kang Min shouted as he ran, trying to catch up with Hanna who was already running faster. Hanna laughed and ran further, avoiding Kang Min who almost caught her.
Sung Jae who saw the two of them from his seat turned to Lee Jong and said with a smile on his face, "They match well, huh? Like a good couple."
Lee Jong stared at them for a moment, then turned to Sung Jae with a serious expression, "Are you crazy? If Kim Hanna hears this, she'll be really upset. You know, she doesn't like it when people go overboard about it."
Sung Jae just chuckled. "Ah, it's okay, Lee Jong. They look good together. But if Hanna gets upset, you'll be responsible."
Lee Jong sighed, as if worried about what might happen if Hanna heard Sung Jae's words. "Don't joke around like that. We all have to be careful," he replied, though a smile was still on his face.
Meanwhile, by the beach, Kang Min and Hanna continue to play, not caring about what's around them. They enjoyed the rare moment of togetherness, as if the world belonged only to the two of them. Laughing, chasing the waves, and playing carefree, feeling free from all worries.